B1940 - Great Powers Politics since 1945

Learning outcomes

The course explores the history of foreign policies and security strategies of main great powers since 1945 with a particular emphasis on United States, Russia, China, Japan and main Western European powers and their interaction in key different regional contexts. By the end of the course students should be able to demonstrate that they can: Understand the major forces shaping the evolution of the global order after World War 2 Understand and critically evaluate the key sources of the foreign policy strategies of main great powers; (3) Identify and analyse the causes of geopolitical competition as well as the main potential flashpoints for conflict at the global level; (4) Critically evaluate the interplay between geopolitical, economic and ideological drivers influencing the foreign policy strategies of main great powers in different regional contexts.

Course contents

The course aims to provide students with a firm grasp and critical perspective on the key historical developments, theoretical approaches, policy debates, and political controversies on the transatlantic relationship, the West, and world order. The first part of the course focuses on dynamics within the West. Here we will explore debates about the notion of the West as a distinct civilization in world politics; the history and theories of the transatlantic relationship and its preeminent security organization NATO; and the multiple perspectives on the rise of the West and the making of the modern world order. The second part of the course focuses on the role and influence of the West in world politics. Here we will explore the past, present and future prospects of the Western-led liberal world order and tackle multiple aspects of the changing international system, including: the return of great power competition; critiques of Western-centrism and the role of the Global South; the gathering strength of illiberal ideologies and authoritarian actors globally; and the transformative power of transnational economic and technological forces.

Readings/Bibliography

The complete list of readings for students attending the course will be communicated on the first day of class and made available on the university’s online platform.


PART I: The West and the Transatlantic Relation
1. Introduction
2. The Idea of the West
• Appiah, Kwame Anthony (2016), 'There Is No Such Thing as Western Civilisation', The Guardian
• O’Hagan, Jacinta (2023), 'The ‘West’ in International Relations', in Mlada Bukovansky (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of History and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press), Ch.29.
• Huntington, Samuel P. (1996), 'The West Unique, Not Universal', Foreign Affairs, 6, 28-46.
3. Civilizational Politics in International Relations
• Hale, Henry E. and Laruelle, Marlene (2021), ‘A New Wave of Research on Civilizational Politics’, Nationalities Papers, 49 (4), 597 – 608
• Huntington, Samuel P. (1993), ‘The Clash of Civilizations?’, Foreign Affairs, 72 (3), 22-49.
4. Seminar
5. Transatlantic Relations: History and Theory
• Anghel, Veronica and Jones, Erik (2024), 'The transatlantic relationship and the Russia-Ukraine war', Political Science Quarterly, 139 (4), 509-27
• Risse, Thomas (2016), 'The Transatlantic Security Community: Erosion from Within?', in Riccardo Alcaro, John Peterson, and Ettore Greco (eds.), The West and the Global Power Shift: Transatlantic Relations and Global Governance (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan), Ch.2.
6. Transatlantic Security Relations and NATO
• Bolstad, Gabriella and Friis, Karsten (2023), 'NATO and Transatlantic Security Relations', in Elaine Fahey (ed.), The Routledge Handbook of Transatlantic Relations (London: Routledge), Ch.8.
• The Economist (2022), 'Ivo Daalder says NATO enlargement didn’t go far enough', The Economist
• The Economist (2022), 'John Mearsheimer on why the West is principally responsible for the Ukrainian crisis', The Economist
7. Seminar
8. Rise of the West and the Modern World Order
• Acharya, Amitav and Buzan, Barry (2019), The Making of Global International Relations: Origins and Evolution of IR at Its Centenary (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). [Read Chs.1, 3, and 5]
9. Seminar
10. Mid-Term Exam
PART II: The West and World Order
11. The Liberal World Order and its Crisis
• Ikenberry, G. John (2009), 'Liberal Internationalism 3.0: America and the Dilemmas of Liberal World Order', Perspectives on Politics, 7 (01), 71-87
• Lake, David A., Martin, Lisa L., and Risse, Thomas (2021), ‘Challenges to the liberal order: Reflections on international organization’, International Organization, 75 (2), 225-57
12. Seminar
13. Changing Character of World Order: Multipolarity and Great Power Competition
• Mearsheimer, John J. (2019), ‘Bound to Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Liberal International Order’, International Security, 43 (4), 7-50
14. Changing Character of World Order: Multiplexity and the Global South
• Acharya, Amitav (2017), 'After liberal hegemony: The advent of a multiplex world order', Ethics & international affairs, 31 (3), 271-85
• Benabdallah, Lina (2024), 'The Liberal International Order as an Imposition: A Postcolonial Reading', Ethics & International Affairs, 38 (2), 162-79
15. Seminar
16. Changing Character of World Order: Illiberalism and Authoritarianism
• Bettiza, Gregorio, Bolton, Derek, and Lewis, David (2023), 'Civilizationism and the Ideological Contestation of the Liberal International Order', International Studies Review, 25 (2)
• Cooley, Alexander and Nexon, Daniel H. (2022), 'The real crisis of global order: Illiberalism on the rise', Foreign Affairs, 101 (1), 103-18
17. Changing Character of World Order: Capitalism and Technology
• Bremmer, Ian (2021), 'The technopolar moment: How digital powers will reshape the global order', Foreign Affairs, 100 (6), 112-
• Slobodian, Quinn (2023), Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy (London: Penguin Books). [Read the Introduction and Conclusion]
18. Seminar
19. Concluding Reflections: The Future of the West and World Order
20. Final Exam

Teaching methods

The course will include both lectures and seminars. Lectures will resemble traditional frontal classes whereas seminars will be interactive and based on active participation by the students. Students are required to keep up with the assigned readings throughout the course and are expected to be prepared to discuss them during the seminars.

Assessment methods

Attending Students

Students who regularly attend classes will be assessed through two in-class written exams: a mid-term exam worth 50% and a final exam worth 50% of the total grade. The exams will cover the topics presented during the class lectures and in the assigned texts. Each test will include short answer and long-form open-ended questions. The exams aim to evaluate students’ understanding, analysis, and critical engagement with the contents and issues covered throughout the course.

Non-Attending Students

The examination for non-attending students remains to be determined.

Teaching tools

Lecture slides and assigned readings.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Raschi